Quinn doesn't get it

September 27, 2011

The state of Illinois is broke. I get it. I think everyone in Southern Illinois gets it. I am one of the state employees that will lose my job on Dec. 31 if Governor Quinn gets his way. He intends to close seven facilities and lay off 1,938 taxpaying citizens. The juveniles in the new facility where I work will be sent to prisons that have condemned, dilapidated buildings.

As a taxpayer, I was outraged today when I read that 16 new positions have been created at IDOT. This new layer of high-paying administrative positions with top salaries of more than $100,000 each will be in place by November and are being hired to perform work that is already being done by current workers.

Gov. Quinn, you have asked me to forego my raises, which I did. You imposed a major state income tax on my wages, which I am paying. Now you are taking my job of 15 years on the premise that tough cuts are necessary, while creating unnecessary politically motivated jobs.